Madrid have started very well. Sneijder is getting a lot of possession and his distribution has been faultless.Guti almost makes it two - he's put through but Andres Palop makes the save.FieldKanoute takes on Heinze and gets it a cross - straight at Casillas

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TWO!!! Sergio Ramos sends Higuain through - Palop saves...Raul follows up, PALOP SAVES AGAIN!!Lovely stuff from Madrid, they're tearing Sevilla apart. But they need to take their chances.Fabiano cracks a thunderous shot - straight into Fabio Cannavaro's face...that HAD TO HURT!

Back to back goals see Real take a 2-1 lead then and this would be a huge step towards retaining their title if they can get the job done tonight. Real is just 17 goals away from another incredible goalscoring record!

Raul 290th goal!!!! Half-time in Madrid, and the league leaders lead 2-1. Raul and Robben have both been excellent - as has Higuain in midfield. Sevilla have shown enough to suggest this game has a few twists left though.

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Under way in the second half!!! Lovely run from Adriano down Sevilla's left. He wins a corner, but Madrid clear.Good spell for Sevilla. Madrid look stretched here. You get the feeling they need to score again. Sevilla will get chances here.

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Surely game over. Guti has completed 44 of his 49 passes...that's pretty special. He's been superb. Diarra comes on to anchor midfield for Madrid. Sensible move from Schuster. Guti makes way. Sevilla bring on Arouna Kona to replace Diego Capel. Sevilla look deflated here. They had their chance early in the half, but it went begging.

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Real Madrid went six points clear at the top of La Liga with a convincing 3-1 defeat of Sevilla.

Goals from Gabriel Heinze, Raul and Gonzalo Higuain signalled a return to form for Bernd Schuster's side, who dispatched the visitors with an assured performance.

Madrid went ahead after eight minutes, when Heinze ghosted in to head home Wesley Sneijder's free-kick. It was the Argentine's first goal since his arrival from Manchester United, and the ideal tonic for a side suffering a crisis of confidence.

Belief quickly spread, and the league leaders were soon creating chances at will - scything through Sevilla in midfield and finding space all over the pitch.

On the half-hour mark Sergio Ramos sent Gonzalo Higuain clean through, but Andres Palop saved at his feet. Raul pounced to dispatch the loose ball, but Palop once again came to the visitor's rescue.

As Madrid spurned chance after chance, Sevilla slowly came into the game and duly punished the hosts with their first genuine opening after 37 minutes - Frederic Kanoute volleying home after Seydou Keita's flick-on.

For a moment Schuster must have feared the worst, but his team showed a resolve lacking in recent weeks and almost immediately resurrected their lead.

Sneijder was the architect - finding Raul in the box with his back to goal. The Madrid skipper controlled instinctively and fired home his 290th goal in all competitions!!!

With the second half came prolonged periods of dominance from Madrid, who but for an array of fine saves from Palop could have scored a hatful.

A deserved third finally arrived just after the hour mark, when Guti's pass gave Higuain the easiest of finishes.

The goal effectively ended the game as a contest, and Madrid seemed to content to play out the remainder of the game at half pace as Sevilla's threat faded.

Schuster was left to reflect on a job well done by his team - and a result which goes some way to silencing the doubters who circled after defeats to Deportivo and Valencia.

Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo headed their second from a corner in the 36th minute.

Basement side Levante grabbed a consolation goal at the end when striker Iborra scored from the edge of the area.

- - - -

DEPORTIVO CORUÑA 3-1 REAL MURCIA

Enrique de Lucas headed relegation-threatened Murcia into the lead after only two minutes but Depor were always in control.

Home striker Xisco was set on his way to a hat-trick when a ball rebounded off him into the net in the 23rd, and two quickfire headers at the start of the second half made sure of the victory.

Depor's Felipe crashed a shot against the bar at the end.

- - - -

GETAFE 0-2 OSASUNA

King's Cup finalists Getafe were struggling from the 30th minute after Romanian defender Cosmin Contra was sent off, and Osasuna took advantage when defender Miguel Flano scored with a header from a free kick just before the break.

Midfielder Patxi Punal doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

- - - -

ESPAÑOL 0-3 RACING SANTANDER

Racing closed on the Champions League places with a confident display against Español.

Oscar Serrano volleyed them in front after good work from Jorge Lopez in the 15th minute, and soon after Pedro Munitis netted from close range after Carlos Kameni failed to hold Aldo Duscher's shot at a corner.

Striker Ivan Bolado wrapped up the win shooting right-footed from behind his left leg, at the end.

- - - -

RECREATIVO HUELVA 1-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO

Recre caused Bilbao all sorts of problems from a succession of near post corners early on, and took the lead from one in the 15th minute when visiting defender Fernando Amorebieta nodded the ball over his own goalkeeper.

The home side wasted a host of chances to secure all three points and Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz grabbed a late equaliser after a misunderstanding in the Recre defence.

Recre had defender Iago Bouzon sent off in the last minute.

- - - -

VALENCIA 0-3 REAL MALLORCA

King's Cup finalists Valencia were caught cold by Mallorca as Spain striker Daniel Guiza was given time to score after a swift break in the 12th minute.

Defender Ivan Ramis curled in a free-kick to double the lead after 20 and Guiza stole in to head the third in the 57th.

Valencia have the joint worst home record in the league.

- - - -

VALLADOLID 2-1 REAL ZARAGOZA

Diego Milito's knockdown for Alberto Zapater to score in the 29th minute put Zaragoza in control, but Valladolid came back to leave Manolo Villanova's side deep in relegation trouble.

The home side were awarded a dubious penalty in the 52nd minute which striker Victor put away, and their leading scorer Fernando Llorente struck his 14th of the campaign for the winner. Zaragoza had defender Juanfran sent off at the end.

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Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon hailed Raul after the Whites captain moved joint-level on the club's list of all-time record goalscorers.

Raul's 39th-minute strike in the 3-1 home win over Sevilla on Sunday night took his tally to 21 goals in La Liga and the Champions League this season, and saw him join legendary striker Santillana on 290 competitive goals for Madrid.

Now only Alfredo di Stefano's tally of 307 goals remains for the long-serving Raul to break yet another record, and at just 30 years old he still has plenty of time to achieve that.

For a player who contributed just seven league goals to Madrid's successive title challenge last season, the current campaign has been little short of remarkable for Raul, and Calderon was keen to highlight the prolific hitman's contributions.

"I am delighted with the attitude of Raul. He is a symbol, an extraordinary player who is breaking all the records," said Calderon on his club's website.

"He is living a second youth this season and he is a leader for the rest of his team-mates."

Raul, who made his debut for Madrid as a 17-year-old, is also second only to Manuel Sanchis (712) in the list for games played for the Spanish giants with 648 appearances.

Among Raul's other records, he is is the leading scorer in Champions League history with 61 goals and Spain's all-time top goalscorer with 44 strikes in 102 matches.

-----------------------------

Luis Fabiano denies Madrid reports!!!

- Reda Maher / Eurosport -

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has declared that the following weeks will be "key" as he decides whether to stay at the club, amidst reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Brazilian - who leads the Liga scoring charts with 22 so far this season - is in talks over a new deal and moved to quell rumours about a transfer to the Santigo Bernabeu.

"We are talking and hoping to do something," he said. "I love Sevilla, I want to continue here and we are trying to sort it out.

"My agent has spoken with nobody at Real Madrid."

The former Porto hit man is still waiting, however, to see if Sevilla can qualify for Europe next season, which will be some achievement after a poor start to the season which included the death of team-mate Antonio Puerta and the departure of coach Juande Ramos to Tottenham.

"We are not going to throw in the towel, we're going to keep going until the end," he adeed.

"We now have eight finals and Sevilla have enough quality to get into the Champions League.

"It's going to be tough but if we win seven matches we have a chance."

Sevilla lie sixth the La Liga, five points behind Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander, both of whom have 50 points.

---------------------------

Spanish keeper linked to Tottenham!!!

Villarreal have confirmed that Tottenham have made an enquiry about goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

The highly-rated Spaniard has impressed hugely at El Madrigal since his summer switch from Real Madrid.

Lopez has taken his first-team opportunity with both hands and scouts from across Europe have been checking on his progress.

Manchester United have previously been credited with an interest while City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was represented in the weekend clash, as Villarreal defeated Atletico Madrid.

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-Tom Williams / Eurosport- Real Madrid will exercise a clause in the contract of Getafe midfielder Ruben de la Red - who received his first call-up to the Spain squad last month - to buy him back at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old joined Michael Laudrup's side from reigning champions Real last summer, and has been one of Los Azulones's most consistent performers in a season that has seen them reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup and the final of the Copa del Rey.

"Real have verbally confirmed to Getafe, the player and myself that they want him back," De la Red's representative Manuel Garcia Quilon told radio station Onda Cero.

Meanwhile, Getafe president Angel Torres has admitted that he has a fight on his hands to keep players such as De la Red at the club.

"My impression is that, although Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal want him, De la Red is going to return to Madrid to stay, as will Javi Garcia of Osasuna," Torres told sports newspaper AS.

"Pablo Hernandez could return to Valencia. For Cata Diaz there are offers.

"Also there is the possible departure of Uche, who after Eto'o is the best striker in this league. He is worth at least 15 goals [a season]. I have followed him since he was 17 years old."

Getafe face German giants Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night, before travelling to Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.

------------------------Injured Messi on comeback trail!!!

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi has resumed light training in his bid to recover from a thigh muscle problem.

The 20-year-old sustained the injury to his left leg in the 1-0 Champions League win over Celtic at the Nou Camp on March 4.

He has missed his side's last five matches - of which Barca have won just one - but is making good progress in his recovery according to his homeland FA.

Messi is receiving treatment in the Argentinian city of Arroyo Seco and has resumed training with a ball.

A statement issued by the Argentinian FA read: "Lionel Messi has had contact with the ball. After two weeks [of rehabilitation] in Arroyo Seco, in Santa Fe province, progress is good.

"Leo will fly to Europe soon to re-join his team."

Barcelona travel to German side Schalke for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night, before welcoming Getafe to the Nou Camp in La Liga at the weekend.

------------------------------------

Fabiano intends to stay at Sevilla!!!

Luis Fabiano has poured cold water on speculation linking him with a move to England by signalling his intention to sign a new deal at Sevilla. A host of clubs from the Premier League have been linked with the Brazilian international, who is top scorer in La Liga this season.

The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle are all said to have made enquiries in recent weeks - but Fabiano is insistent he wants to stay in Seville.

"My agents are having meetings with the officials to try and reach an agreement, for my intention is to stay at Sevilla," Fabiano told Radio Terra.

"I like Sevilla and I want to stay here."

And Fabiano denied fresh reports in Spain that he had held preliminary talks with Primira Liga rivals Real Madrid or any other side.

"It isn't true that my agent had conversations with people from Real Madrid, like it has been said in the Spanish press," he stated.

"My intention is to stay at Sevilla so there isn't any chance to have conversations with any other team. It is my idea to stay where I am."

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MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid have little chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the immediate future but if the Portugal striker leads Manchester United to continued success he could end up at the Bernabeu, according to coach Bernd Schuster.

"Right now Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world but Manchester don't want to sell him. So in the short term I don't think it will be possible to sign him," Schuster told Spanish sports daily AS on Wednesday.

"But in a couple of years, yes, I believe he could be wearing the white shirt at the Bernabeu.

"He's the star at Old Trafford and until they win the Champions League and another league title or two then they aren't going to let him go.

"For me, Cristiano Ronaldo has already overtaken Kaka after the loss of form of the Brazilian at (AC) Milan this season. One day he will be with us."

Schuster said Ajax's Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and Didier Drogba of Chelsea were among the strikers on Real's agenda for next season.

"He (Huntelaar) is a bit like (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy and (Marco) Van Basten ... He comes from a good footballing background where they learn quickly and are good professionals. That gives you more guarantees when you sign them.

"They (Drogba and Luis Fabiano) are also very good players. Madrid has to aspire to signing the best."

Schuster said the club would need to make some signings if they were to avoid a repeat of their recent failures in the Champions League.

"We have got a great project with a good mixture of youth and experience, but if we want to compete in Europe we have to recruit two or three quality players," the German said.

Real are six points clear of Villarreal at the top of the table and seven ahead of Barcelona with eight games to play.

(Reporting by Simon Baskett; Editing by Sonia Oxley)

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Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has confirmed that he has recently returned from a trip to Rome, fuelling speculation that the Spanish champions are lining up bids for Roma duo Alberto Aquilani and Daniele de Rossi.

Spanish sport daily Marca reported that when questioned about his recent absence, Mijatovic replied cryptically: "Yes, I have been in Rome."

The Montenegrin then proceeded to conduct a lengthy meeting with head coach Bernd Schuster and marketing director Jose Angel Sanchez at the Spanish champions' Valdebebas training complex.

Midfield duo Aquilani and de Rossi are both Italy internationals, and are key men for the Giallorossi, who are currently second in Serie A and have reduced the gap behind leaders Internazionale to just four points.

The duo, both 23, came up through the Roma youth ranks together, and have both scored three goals this is season.

Aquilani's agent Fraco Zavagli was quick to make it clear that any potential deal was still a long way off, saying: "At the moment it seems best not to talk about this situation.

"From what I know, Real's sporting director Pedja Mijatovic can only have come to watch games. I can't say any more than that.

"Just because Marca say something doesn't mean that it is true and I can safely say that the player wants to stay at Roma.

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OMG!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!! UEFA CUP!! The king, queen and prince at the Coliseum, best attendance in history of stadiumGetafe demolishing european giants and germany best Bayern 3-1, 2 goals in ET 91, 93'!!! Bayern sent the match to ET in 89'!!!Beckenbuarer said before the match in Munich he had no idea about Getafe, in your face disgrace Franz!!!

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OMG!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!! UEFA CUP!! The king, queen and prince at the Coliseum, best attendance in history of stadiumGetafe demolishing european giants and germany best Bayern 3-1, 2 goals in ET 91, 93'!!! Bayern sent the match to ET in 89'!!!Beckenbuarer said before the match in Munich he had no idea about Getafe, in your face disgrace Franz!!!

The small town on the outskirts of Madrid Getafe about to knock Bayern out- Wow!! That would easily be their biggest ever win trully remarkable and great to see them beating the Germans!Also Rangers went to Lisbon and beat Sporting 2-0 to reach the semi's

OMG!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!! UEFA CUP!! The king, queen and prince at the Coliseum, best attendance in history of stadiumGetafe demolishing european giants and germany best Bayern 3-1, 2 goals in ET 91, 93'!!! Bayern sent the match to ET in 89'!!!Beckenbuarer said before the match in Munich he had no idea about Getafe, in your face disgrace Franz!!!

The small town on the outskirts of Madrid Getafe about to knock Bayern out- Wow!! That would easily be their biggest ever win trully remarkable and great to see them beating the Germans!Also Rangers went to Lisbon and beat Sporting 2-0 to reach the semi's

Rangers is your 2nd favorite club??? Bayern were nº1 contenders and favorites to win Uefa Cup this season, big upset!!!Getafe wonderful season continues, they will play Copa final.Uefa cup semifinalists: Fiorentina, Rangers, Getafe and Zenit St. Petersburg, final in Manchester City Stadium.

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OMG!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!! UEFA CUP!! The king, queen and prince at the Coliseum, best attendance in history of stadiumGetafe demolishing european giants and germany best Bayern 3-1, 2 goals in ET 91, 93'!!! Bayern sent the match to ET in 89'!!!Beckenbuarer said before the match in Munich he had no idea about Getafe, in your face disgrace Franz!!!

The small town on the outskirts of Madrid Getafe about to knock Bayern out- Wow!! That would easily be their biggest ever win trully remarkable and great to see them beating the Germans!Also Rangers went to Lisbon and beat Sporting 2-0 to reach the semi's

Rangers is your 2nd favorite club??? Bayern were nº1 contenders and favorites to win Uefa Cup this season, big upset!!!Getafe wonderful season continues, they will play Copa final.Uefa cup semifinalists: Fiorentina, Rangers, Getafe and Zenit St. Petersburg, final in Manchester City Stadium.

No don't like or dislike Rangers, just an excellent result for them. I don't have a 2nd team in football, maybe I do as it could be the United reserves I'm purely Manchester United through nd through there could never be another football team within my life at all

OMG!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!! UEFA CUP!! The king, queen and prince at the Coliseum, best attendance in history of stadiumGetafe demolishing european giants and germany best Bayern 3-1, 2 goals in ET 91, 93'!!! Bayern sent the match to ET in 89'!!!Beckenbuarer said before the match in Munich he had no idea about Getafe, in your face disgrace Franz!!!

The small town on the outskirts of Madrid Getafe about to knock Bayern out- Wow!! That would easily be their biggest ever win trully remarkable and great to see them beating the Germans!Also Rangers went to Lisbon and beat Sporting 2-0 to reach the semi's

Rangers is your 2nd favorite club??? Bayern were nº1 contenders and favorites to win Uefa Cup this season, big upset!!!Getafe wonderful season continues, they will play Copa final.Uefa cup semifinalists: Fiorentina, Rangers, Getafe and Zenit St. Petersburg, final in Manchester City Stadium.

No don't like or dislike Rangers, just an excellent result for them. I don't have a 2nd team in football, maybe I do as it could be the United reserves I'm purely Manchester United through nd through there could never be another football team within my life at all

LOL!!! , that was funny!!! great answer!!! United is so big!!! (Bayern scores 3-2 Luca Toni 115' and then typical germany 3-3 Luca Toni 120' Bayern in semifinals!!!What a dramatic end and extra-time!!!

« Last Edit: April 10, 2008, 04:18:02 PM by conchita »

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